I know a lot of guys last year were commenting on how this kid went from a string bean to Hulk Hogan in one season. Well, now we have proof.

Quote:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5172060&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlinesThe Houston Texans' defense took a major blow Friday when defensive rookie of the year Brian Cushing learned he is being suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Cushing appealed the league's decision at a hearing at the NFL scouting combine in February but was informed Friday his appeal had been rejected, according to sources.

Cushing will be allowed to participate in training camp with the Texans this summer, but then will serve his four-game suspension to start the 2010 regular season.

"We were disappointed to learn that Brian has been suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season," Houston general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. "Brian is a productive member of our team and this is a significant loss, but we have to be prepared to win without him."

The Texans' defense will suffer without Cushing, especially considering that its first game of the season is against the defending AFC South champion Indianapolis Colts. Cushing will also miss games against the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders.

Cushing, who was voted to the Pro Bowl, had 133 tackles and helped lead the Texans to a 9-7 record, their first winning season in franchise history. Cushing finished the season with five sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Cushing was hounded by rumors of performance-enhancing drug use before he became a pro, but the Texans were undeterred. They said then they found no truth to those rumors in their draft preparations.

"I've passed every drug test out there and still have," Cushing said during his 2009 draft news conference. "I'm not that kind of guy."

Cushing had been promoting an appearance on the NFL Network show "Total Access Live" scheduled for Friday evening on his Facebook page before posting the following message Friday afternoon: "Had to cancel NFL Network and all other interviews due to a family emergency. Heading to airport to fly back to NJ to be with the fam."

Cushing did not provide any further details about the emergency. He is from New Jersey and had been in school in California this week.

Adam Schefter is an NFL Insider for ESPN.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Fri May 07, 2010 10:42 pm

10acjed

Phinfever Legend

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 6:43 pmPosts: 4885Location: Wellington, FL

Re: Brain Cushing Susepended 4 Games For PED

Sucks... I liked this kid, kinda glad now we didnt pick him up last year... I think Clay Matthews deserved the ROY award anyway. This guy should give it to him if he was on the juice then...

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Sat May 08, 2010 4:26 am

Phins Rock

Phinfever Global Moderator

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:28 amPosts: 7532Location: Massachusetts

Re: Brain Cushing Susepended 4 Games For PED

Shawn Merrimen 2.0.

Sat May 08, 2010 6:25 am

phinphan-n-buffalo

Phinfever All Pro

Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:36 pmPosts: 494Location: Ruff Buff NY

Re: Brain Cushing Susepended 4 Games For PED

Phins Rock wrote:

Shawn Merrimen 2.0.

lol

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Sat May 08, 2010 9:54 am

phinsfansc

Phinfever Draft Guru

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:14 pmPosts: 4538Location: Columbia, SC

Re: Brain Cushing Susepended 4 Games For PED

There had been plenty speculation about Cushing and roids at SC, he even had the incident at the combine when he supposedly tested positive with Matthews. That turned out to be false information, but there was always the swirl around Cushing in regards to steroids.